Welcoming New Students the First Day of School

Imagine Being the New Kid

We’ve all been the “new” something at some point—a new teacher at a school, a new face at a staff meeting, a new parent in a school community. It’s awkward. It’s exhausting. And even when people are kind, it takes real effort to feel like you belong.

Now imagine being a kid. A kid who didn’t choose to be new. A kid who might not even understand why they had to change schools in the first place. Add to that: unfamiliar routines, strange faces, different rules, and a whole new classroom full of students who already know each other.

This is what it’s like for so many students every year.

Welcoming new students the first week of school is one of the most important parts of building a caring classroom. And one of the best ways I’ve found to do this is through the buddy system.

What Is the Buddy System?

At its core, the buddy system is about people helping people.

It’s the practice of pairing a returning student with a new student for the first week (or more) to help them get comfortable, learn the ropes, and begin to build social connections.

On the first day of school, everything is new for everyone—new classroom, new teacher, new expectations. But for a new student? Everything is new. Even the lunchroom feels like a maze. That’s where a buddy comes in.

I’ve used the buddy system for years in international schools, where new students join at the beginning and throughout the year. The system not only helps new students feel welcome, but it also teaches returning students essential life skills like social, communication, and leadership skills.

How I Pair Buddies

If it’s the first day of school and you haven’t had time to get to know your students yet, don’t worry…you don’t need to pair up soulmates. The goal isn’t to find best friends.

The goal is to give new students someone who is committed to:

- Including them in conversations and games

- Helping them understand routines

- Introducing them to others

When I could, I paired students based on shared languages or similar interests (using info from previous teachers). For example, if a new student was from Japan, I might pair them with another student who speaks Japanese. Even if they don’t become instant friends, hearing a familiar language can bring so much comfort in a strange environment.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: You’re not trying to orchestrate lifelong friendships here. You’re setting the stage for inclusion.

Why I Love the Buddy System for Welcoming New Students

Let’s be honest: a new student is going to remember how their peers treated them far more than whether or not the teacher remembered their name on Day 1.

Here’s why I love using a buddy system for welcoming new students:

It helps new students feel welcome

- They have someone to sit with.

- Someone to ask questions to.

- Someone to make them feel seen.

It builds real-world skills in returning students

The buddy role gives returning students a chance to shine. They’re not just “helpers”…they’re learning:

- Social skills – How to introduce themselves, how to start conversations, how to show empathy.

- Communication skills – How to explain rules, give directions, and ask thoughtful questions.

- Leadership skills – How to guide without bossing, how to take initiative, and how to support others.

That’s a win-win if I’ve ever seen one.

The Key to a Successful Buddy System

So what makes it work? A few small (but mighty!) moves on your part.

Make it an honor

Kids love being chosen. I always make a big deal of it:

- I pull the student aside privately.

- I give them a special note or message telling them why I chose them.

- I remind them what an important job it is.

Suddenly, they stand a little taller. That’s the power of trust.

Regular check-ins

Excitement takes over the first week of a new school year.. Sometimes my buddies would forget they were supposed to be helping someone because they were busy reuniting with their own friends.

So I added daily check-ins:

- We reviewed a list of buddy responsibilities.

- Buddies reflected on how the day went.

- They set small goals for the next day (like “Invite my buddy to sit with me at snack”).

And it made a big difference.

Give new students a voice

Let’s not forget the other half of the equation.

- I check in with new students privately.

- When I can’t do that (hello, chaos!), I use a simple exit ticket at the end of the day asking questions like:
  - - How are you feeling today?
  - - How was their buddy helpful?

It’s short, it’s sweet, and it gives me a chance to follow up thoughtfully.

Involve Families: Get Support from Home

Parents are your secret weapon.

I send home a short letter to the parents of returning students who are chosen as buddies. It includes:

- Why their child was chosen

- What the buddy system is

- How I’ll support them in class

This usually earns me an email like “Thank you so much for recognizing this in our child!” or “We’d love to invite the buddy over for a playdate!” and suddenly, the school connection is spilling over into real life.

And yes, sometimes it leads to lifelong friendships—but again, that’s not the goal. The goal is to start with inclusion.

Celebrating Buddy Success

At the end of the first week, I make sure every student who made an effort as a buddy is recognized.

- I hand out an Awesome Buddy Certificate

- I write a short note home celebrating their effort

- I snap a photo of the buddy pair and post it in a place of honor (like the class bulletin board or our biweekly newsletter)

Do I only do this for students whose buddies “loved” them? Nope. I reward effort, not outcomes.

Because guess what? Being a buddy isn’t always easy. But doing something hard for someone else is one of the most powerful lessons we can teach.

Try the Buddy System This Year

I’ve used the buddy system every single year, and I’ll keep using it for as long as I teach. Welcoming new students in a meaningful, student-centered way builds a classroom culture of care. And when it’s paired with intentional reflection, feedback, and family involvement, the impact goes beyond the first week.

You’re not just helping one child feel more comfortable. You’re empowering a whole group of kids to practice empathy, leadership, and collaboration…real-world skills that go way beyond the classroom.

Want Help Getting Started?

If you’d like a simple, teacher-tested way to launch your own buddy system for welcoming new students, I’ve created a resource just for you. It includes:

- Buddy responsibilities checklist

- Daily check-in and reflection rubric

- Note home to families

- Exit tickets for new students

- Awesome Buddy Certificate

You can grab it here: Welcome New Students First Week of School with Buddy System.

Have you tried the buddy system in your classroom? With or without my product, I’d love to hear how it went! Leave a comment below or reach out here:Contact Me

Remember: You’re not just planning the first week of school. You’re shaping a student’s first memory of your classroom. Let’s make it a good one.

If you are interested in more systems that I implement, check out my blog post First Week of School Routines, Procedures and Helpful Teacher Strategies.